- Matchday - 30/07/2016 15:00h

Aridai strikes early as VCF have comfortable 4-1 win over Ilves

July, 30 2016 -

In-form striker Aridai Cabrera hit an early opener for Valencia CF who went on to a comfortable 4-1 friendly victory over FC Ilves in Finland, on Saturday.

Aridai fired home after just four minutes and the blanquinegros never looked back in their only match on Finnish soil before they now head to England to continue their preseason tour.

Paco Alcácer, after 15 minutes, and Rodrigo Moreno soon after, gave Valencia a commanding advantage while Santi Mina knocked home a penalty after 58 minutes after he himself was brought down.

Yunnus did get a consolation goal for Ilves in what was Valencia’s second victory of the preseason.

Valencia coach Pako Ayestarán put out an experimental side with the in-form Aridai in attack alongside Alcácer while Enzo Pérez, again named captain for the game, provided the experience in the middle of the pitch.

It didn’t take Aridai long to get off the mark with Cancelo attacking well down the right wing and crossed for the youth team player to score.

The match was played at an easy tempo with Valencia looking in control and they moved the ball around neatly through midfield.

Rodrigo was a threat and he drove narrowly wide under pressure in the box but at the other end goalkeeper Diego Alves was called into action after a defensive lapse and reacted well with successive blocks after 12 minutes.

Valencia converted their dominance into another well worked goal which was started by a counter-attack from Pérez who found Rodrigo and he in turn played in Alcácer. The striker showed the coolness that has made him one of the top finishers in Spain as he placed the ball past Otto Huuhtanen.

Valencia were stretching the Ilves back line and a miscued Aridai cross fell to Rodrigo who knocked the ball into an open goal. They could then have gone further ahead after a breakaway where Alcácer played in Aridai but Tatu Miettunen got back well to clear the ball off the line.

Ayestarán changed most of the side at half time to give the full squad a workout which included Joao Cancelo making way on the right who had been a constant threat with his surging runs. José Luis Gayà who came in on the left though offered a new danger and while

Substitute Santi Mina struck from the penalty spot after he himself was fouled clearly by Jaakko Juuti on the right of the area after some good footwork

There was a consolation goal for Ilves who held the game as a commemoration of their 85th anniversary with Yunnus slotting home after a flick-on from Jaakko Juuti.

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Photographs by Lázaro de la Peña, re-use is not permitted.